2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

In these uncertain times, fear is a common emotion, and it has torment. Fear will not protect us, but active faith will. As Christians we know the importance of trusting God, but we must not be ignorant of the cunning devices of the devil; the chief of which is FEAR. Fear can have dominant effect on our emotions and attitude dictating what we think and do. So also, is faith. When we focus our attention on our problems, they are magnified out of proportion. When we surrender our problems and think on God’s provision, the answer is magnified and the problem shrinks. Whatever we think upon is going to dominate us. If we think on depressing things, we will be depressed. If we think on uplifting things, we will be uplifted. If we think, ‘by His stripes, we are healed’, we will be healed. If we think on sickness, we will be sick. Propelled by fear, people are seeking solutions to their problems in the wrong places. Faith is not dependent on feelings or circumstances but on grace – the finished work of Christ (Ephesians 2:8).  God’s commitment to His word is not based on feelings or circumstances but on faith. God wants us to walk and live by faith and not by fear or sight (2 Corinthians 5:7, Hebrews 10:38). That is totally opposite of the way most people live today. No one really desires depression but very few people know they have the responsibility and authority to maintain positive emotions in the face of negative circumstances. We have options: believe in the lies of the devil and be in bondage or believe the truth (God’s Word) and be free. This choice is yours. I want to encourage you today, to focus your attention on the invisible truths of the spiritual realm that are eternal, instead of the visible things of this physical world that will pass away.

Proverbs 18:10 AMP “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous runs to it and is safe and set on high [far above evil].”

As believers in Christ Jesus, one of the greatest defenses that we have in this world to help us fight against the devices of Satan is the name of the Lord. When we have a revelation of this truth it will be easy for us to understand the absolute security that we have in the Lord. The scripture assures us: “A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.” (Psalm 91:7 NIV). A strong tower that the Name of the Lord represents is set safely and securely high and it is too fortified for the enemy to have access to it. The fact that His name alone is a strong tower tells us that all we need to do is run to Him in times of trouble. The Bible informs us that Lord God Himself is our rock, our fortress, and our deliverer. In Him, we can take refuge because He is our shield of protection, our horn of salvation, and our stronghold (Psalm 18:2). Over and again, the Book of Psalms compares God to a high and strong tower of protection and a shelter where His people can safely hide. The Bible says God is our refuge and strength, a present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1), our hiding place (Psalm32:7), and a shelter in the time of storm (Isaiah 25:4). The threats of this world are real, but we do not stand against such threats alone. Our Heavenly Father stands with us, and in Him, we have everything we need to face such times and come out victorious! Let us reassure ourselves today that we have a Father in Heaven who is with us in all things.  Let us continue to walk by faith and not by sight; continue to pray without ceasing; and continue to live by God’s infinite wisdom.

Psalm 121:2 NKJV “My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.”

Sometimes no matter how we try, we encounter problems that are beyond our human capabilities even as believers in Christ Jesus. So then, what do we do in such a situation? Most times we look to someone else to give us help. But, although people are sometimes willing to give us help, they are not capable. The Psalmist had a better idea. He understood the key was not to look in to himself or out to his friend, but to look up to the Lord. We need always to look up to the Lord to receive the very help we need in every problem. He is our ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).  Sometimes our problems seem really big. But that is because our perspective is wrong. Remembering that God from whom we seek help is the ONE who made heavens and earth should make our problems diminish, in the light of God’s power (Jeremiah 32:17,27). How great is God’s power? Look at the earth and the heavens He created. Few of us doubt the ability of God to solve our problems. But many of us struggle with God’s willingness to do so. But listen to what God says in Isaiah 41:10 NIV “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Sometimes we may feel sad, confused, and angry when we face problems; but we must never lose hope. There is always help from the Lord. He can make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert (Isaiah 43:19). Our trust is in God (Psalm 20:7). He is faithful!